Apparatus for producing emulsions



E. E. WERNER.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING EMULSIONS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.11,1922.

Patented Dec. 12, 1922,.

2 SHEETSSHEET I.

E. E. WERNER.

I APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING EMULSIONS.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 11, 1922.

1 yQ3F? 3 3 a Patented. Dec. 12, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented Dec. 112, I92

srArEs.

ERNEST E. WERNER, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING EMULSIONS.

Application filed February 11, 1922. Serial No. 585,902.

To all whom it may yoncem'.

Be it known that I, ERNEST E. WERNER, citizen of the United States, and resident of the city of St. Louis, and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Producing Emulsions, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to apparatus for producing emulsions and the like from liquids of different specific gravitiest The general object of the present invention is to provide a simple apparatus for producing emulsions, which will enable substantially the effects of the Bredig arc to be attained by mechanical means; also to provide apparatus constructed or organized in such a way as to substantially exclude air from the point at which the emulsification is effected; and to provide an organization in which the emulsification is effected at a point outside of the container for the liquids which are to be emulsified. In the operation of the apparatus a stream containing the liquids to be emulsified passes to an emulsifying means. In practice the emulsification is most conveniently effected on batches of the liquids and one of my objects has been to provide apparatus operating to withdraw a continuous stream from a container, which stream contains quantities of the lighter liquid or liquids; also to provide simple means for guiding the lighter portions of the liquids toward the point of withdrawal of this stream. In one type of this apparatus the operation results in developing a vortex within a container over a bottom outlet where the stream is withdrawn from the container before passing it to anemulsifying means; one of my objects has been to provide simple means for preventing air from passing down the center of the vortex,

. and for retarding the velocity of rotation of the liquids.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel fea tures, and in the general combinationof parts to be particularly described hereinafter, all of which contribute to produce a simple and eflicient apparatus for producing emulsions. A preferred embodiment of my invention will be particularly described in the following specification, while the broad scope of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims,

In the drawing; 7

Figure 1 is a vertical section through apparatus embodying my invention; 7

Figure 2 is a plan of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; p

Figure 3 is a vertical section through a container such as that shown in Figure 1, but illustrating another embodiment of a feature of the invention; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of the casing of the emulsifying means which I have illustrated.

My apparatus is constructed in such a way' that a confined stream containing the liquids to be emulsified is withdrawn from the container so. that it is supplied from portions of the contents containing both or all of the liquids which are to be emulsified. Any suitable construction or organi zation of apparatus may be employed which will enable the stream flowing to the emulsifier to contain quantities of the liquids of different specific gravity. I prefer, however, to conduct or withdraw the liquid from a bottom outlet of a. container in which I develop a vortex. By reason of the central core or pipe of the vortex, the surface portions of the liquid which are richest in the liquid of lower specific gravity descend toward the outlet and intermix with quantities of the liquid of greater specific gravity which also are drawn off through the outlet. I provide means for closing the mouth of the vortexv and may also provide means for guiding the surface portion of the liquid toward the point at which the streamv is drawn oil", that is to say, in the present instance, toward the center of the vortex.

The stream derived in this way may be treated by any known method to effect the emulsification, and then returned to the container. I prefer to effect the emulsification by means of a rotary emulsifier consisting of a rapidly rotating relatively smooth faced disk 1 which is attached to a horizontal shaft 2 which may be driven by any suit-, able means such as the motor 3. This disk. 1 to the touch and eye, may appear 'erfectly smooth. but will nevertheless, w en viewed or visualized in cross-section with a microscope, have a serrated, highly rugged or uneven surface. the nature and degree of the serrations depending. of. course, upon the degree of polish and nature of the metal.

I am aware that the term fserrations or serrated as generally used,- is applied tolot describe an edge rather than a side face or surface, In using this term 1n the specification or claims I intend it to mean the roughness or-rugged' condition of the face ofthe plate if its cross-section were viewed under a microscope. serrations at the edge of the disk. It is obvious that the serrations or projections on the face ofithe plate could be artificially produced so that they would be regular, instead of irregular as they would be in the disk described above.

' I provide a container 4 in which the liquids to be emulsified are placed, and this container has a bottom outlet 5 from which a pipe connection 6 extends, having a horizontal extension 7 to direct a stream withdrawn through the outlet 5, against the smooth face of the disk 1. A valve 8 maybe rovided for drawing ofl samples of liquid from the stream passing through the pipe connection. The disk 1 is rotated in the direction indicated-by the arrow in F igure 4 and operates by centrifugal action to develop a movement of the liquid through .an outlet neck 9 from the container, which communicates by a riser-pipe 10 with an elbow 11 within the container. In emulsifying a batch of about 100 gallons the emulsification can be readily efiected by employing. a sixinch disk rotated at about 3600 revoluintermixed with quantities of the liquid of higher specific gravity passing into the withdrawn stre'am. i

In order to prevent the incoming return stream from the pipe 10 from interfering with the vortex, I turn the elbow 11 so that it delivers the incoming stream in a substantially tangential direction; this also assists in developing a rotation of the vortex in the direction indicated by the arrows in Figure 2.

The disk 1 is received in an emulsifying chamber 14 formed within a housing or casing 15. By mounting the disk in this chamber air is substantially excluded from the emulsion because the stream containin the liquids is delivered to the emulsifier chamber at a oint removed from the vortex. rovide further means for insuring the exc usion of the air and for this purpose I close the mouth 13 of the vortex to prevent air from flowing down it. This means may be a float 16 having the I do not refer in any way to.

- from rotating.

form of a ball, or other shape which presents a surface of revolution on its under sidewhich will adapt it to its function of engaging the surface of the liquid to seal the mouth of the vortex.

I also construct the apparatus so that it tends to retard the rotation of the liquids near the mouth of the vortex. This may be accomplished by supporting the float 16 so thatit cannot rotate, thereby enabling it to exert a retarding effect upon the rotary movement.

For this purpose I provide suitable means for guiding the closure or. float 16 which will prevent it becoming dislodged from its central position but which at the same time will permit it to rise and fall with any changes in the general level of the contents of the container. I provide two diametrically opposite guide stems 17 which extend up from the bottom '18 of the container and on these stems 17 guides in the form. of plates 19 are placed, each guide 19 being provided with a sleeve 20 which slips freely over the stern. These guides are connected rigidly with the float 16 by yokes 21 so that, the effect of a light frame is produced, operating to hold the float centered and enabling the float in its turn to support the guide plates 19 so that they'will engage the upper surface portions of the liquid contents. If desired the other ends of the ides 19 may have bent tips or lips 22 which lie near the wall of the cylindrical container so as to co-operate with the direction of rotation to guide or feed the upper surface portions of the liquid toward the center of the vortex, that is to say, toward the point where the stream passes out of the container on its way to the emulsifier.

If it is not desired to prevent the float from rotating I may provide a float construction such as that illustrated in Figure 3 in which. I provide a central stem 23 within the container 24', the lower end of the stem being stepped in a tripod or spider 25 over the bottom outlet 26. The float 27 is in the form of a hollow ball through which passes a tubular guide 28, the same extending vertically a considerable distance above the upper end of the stem (see Figure 3) so as to allow the ball to descend. The upper end of the tube is closed or sealed by a permanent head 29.

While this fioat'may rotate it constructed as described, it is obvious, however, that I may use an angular stem in an angular tube, or other suitable means to prevent the float With both the types of float construction I find that as the suction of the disk develops a partial vacuum in the pipe or core, 12 of the vortex, the atmospheric pressure acting on the upper side of the float operates to depress'it considerably at the mouth of the vortex, and this seems to have the effect .proper adjustment v imposed within neeeyzaa of enlarging the pipe or core and giving it moreof a cylindrical form than is usual.

If it is desired to dissolve within either or all of the liquids, salts, or other soluble, the tangential. inlet 11 operates to assist in rapidly dissolving such matter, and also assists in allocating it within that stratum of the liquid having the specific gravity of the solution.

In the operation of speed, of the disk a relatively slow circular motion is developed whichis-practically quiescent near the Wall of the container. The liquid near the center, however, is in a fairly rapid motion and produces the core or pipe 12 through the vortex. When liquids of different specific gravities such as oil and water, are superthe tank and the disk set in motion,'the center or pipe of the vortex provides a free outlet for the upper surface portions which contain the hghter liquid, which flows down the center of the vortex, and after treatment in the emulsifier, will be returned to the container. This cycle of operation will, continue, with a selective action in relation\ to specific gravity, until a uniform specific gravity of the entire liquid is produced, at which time the emulsion 1s perfect.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments my invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of my invention nor in my claims, to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is:

1. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a container, a stationary housing having an emulsifying chamber, means for directing a stream of the liquids into the emulsifying chamber, a shaft extending into the emulsifying chamber, means for rotating the shaft at a high velocity, and an emulsifier disk secured to the shaft within the emulsifying chamber and operating upon the liquids to produce an emulsion thereof.

2. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a housing having an emulsifying chain ber, means for directing a confined stream containingthe liquids, through the wall of "the chamber, 'a shaft extending into the chamber, means for rotating the same at a high velocity, and a disk secured to the shaft and rotatin therewith disposed with its side face directi y in the path of the confined stream and operating upon 'the liquids to produce an emulsion thereof.

3. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a container for the liquids, a casing having an emulsifying chamber, a shaft extends ing into the emulsifying chamber, means for for directing a stream of the apparatus, with rotating the shaft at a high'velocity, means from the container composed of the liquids and for directing the same through the Wall of'the chamber, a disk carried by the shaft, having a relatively smooth face operating upon the liquids to produce an emulsion thereof, and means for conducting the liquids from the emulsifying chamber back to the container.

4. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids Y of difierent specific gravities, the combination of a casing having an emulsifying chamber, a container for the liquids having means for conducting a stream composed of both liquids, rich in the lighter liquid,

and for directing the same through the wall of the emulsifying chamber, a shaft extending into the emulsifying chamber, means for rotating the same at a high velocity, a disk carried by the shaft and having a side face operating upon the liquids to produce an emulsion thereof, and means for conducting liquid from the emulsifying chamber to the contalner.

In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a disk having a relatively'smooth face. a shaft carrying the same, a casing having an emulsifying chamber receiving the disk, a container having an outlet with a connection from the outlet to the face of the disk, means for rotating the disk at a high veloc ty operating to develop a vortex in the liquids and withdraw a stream from the container composed of both liquids, rich in the lighter liquid, and means for conduct ing the liquids from the emulsifying chamber to the container.

in the liquids and to withdraw a stream from the container rich in the lighter liquid, means for conducting the liquids from the emulsifying chamber to the container, and means for closing the mouth of the vortex.

7. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a container for the liquids, having a bottom outlet, an emulsifier including means for Withdrawing a stream from the con- 'tainer through the bottom outlet so as to form a vortex within the container, and means for closing the mouth of the vortex to prevent air from passing down the same.

8. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities. the combination ofa container for the liquids, having a bottom outlet, an 'emulsifier including me i . of different specific means for withdrawing a stream from the container through the bottom outlet so as.

to form avortex within the container, a

float to rest on the surface of the liquid and close the mouth of the vortex to prevent air from passing down the same, and means for preventing rotation ofthe float.

9. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids a. bottom outlet, an emulsifier including means for withdrawing a stream from the container through thebottomoutlet so as to form a vortex withln the container, afloat for closing the mouth of the vortex, means for holding'the float against rotation, and

means for guiding the surface liquid toward the mouth of the vortex.

10. In apparatus for emulsifying liquids of'difierent specific gravities, the combination of a-container for the liquids; having a bottom outlet, an emulsifier including means for withdrawing a'stream from the container through the bottom outlet so as to form a vortex within the container, and guiding means supported at thesurface of the liquid for guiding the surface liquid toward the vortex. 1

11. In apparatus for emulsif ing liquids of vdiiferent specific gravities, t e combination of a caslng having ,an emulsifying I ravities, the combination of a contalner or the liquids, having conductin passing into t e chamber operating upon the liquids to produce an emulsion thereof, and producing a vortex in" the liquids vwithin the (container operatirfg to introduce both liquids into the stream and render the same rich in the lighter liquid, and means for liquid from the emulsifying chamber ack to ,the container.

12. In apparatus 'for emulsifying liquids of different specific gravities, the combination of a container, a housing removed from I the container and havin an emulsifying chamber, means for con uctmg a stream from the container composed of the liquids and for directing the same through the wall of the chamber, a rotary emulsifier within the emulsifying chamberoperating to em'ulsify the two liquids, and accelerate movement of the liquid out of the housing,

and means for,- conducting the same back to the container from the housing.

Signed'at St. Louis, and State of Mis-' souri this 4th da of Februar A. D. 1922.

'* RNEST E. %V

ERNER, L 

